Esther Phillips - Performance (1974) [2007]

Originally released in 1974, Performance is the fourth of seven albums that vocalist Esther Phillips recorded for Kudu, an offshoot of Creed Taylor's CTI label. Arranged and conducted by Pee Wee Ellis with assistance from Eugene McDaniels and Taylor, the session assembles a celebrated choice of soul, fusion, and mainstream jazz musicians including, Bob James, Richard Tee, Hubert Laws, Bernard Purdie, Pepper Adams, and Michael Brecker. Highlights among the eight songs include the tack piano romp through Dr. John’s "Such a Night," the gospel-inspired "Living Alone (We're Going to Make It)," and funky readings of Isaac Hayes and David Porter’s “Can’t Trust Your Neighbor with Your Baby,” “Doing Our Thing,” and, surprisingly, Jerry Jeff Walker’s classic composition “Mr. Bojangles.” While Performance has been remastered and retains the original album art, there are no bonus tracks.

Tracks:

01. I Feel The Same (8:27)
02. Performance (5:28)
03. Doing Our Thing (3:36)
04. Disposable Society (5:22)
05. Living Alone (5:20)
06. Such A Night (3:25)
07. Can't Trust Your Neighbor With Your Baby (3:55)

Personnel:

Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion
Backing Vocals – Carl Carldwell*, Lani Groves, Patti Austin, Robin Clark (2)
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Bass – Gary King
Cello – Charles McCracken, George Ricci
Drums – Bernard Purdie
Flute – Hubert Laws
Guitar – Charlie Brown (7)
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Piano – Richard Wyands
Trombone – Urbie Green
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – John Gatchell, Jon Faddis, Marvin Stamm
Viola – Al Brown*, Manny Vardi*, Harold Coletta
Violin – Charles Libove, David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Manny Vardi*, Matthew Raimondi, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman
Vocals – Esther Phillips